The Australian Workers Union Building (Theme Day: People On The Street)
The former Australian Workers Union Building is located along Castlereagh Street. It was built in 1877 in the Victorian architectural style for the New South Wales Protestant Hall Company Ltd. It is listed on the Register of the National Estate and known for the first public airing of Australia's national anthem "Advance Australia Fair" on 30 November 1878. The building was renamed Empire House in the mid-1920s and in 1938 was taken over by the Australian Workers Union as the headquarters. It was sold in 1979 but remained derelict for many years. It was redeveloped in 2013 and now houses "Alpha" a Greek restaurant and "Foodstore" cafe on the ground floor, with "The Hellenic Club" on the upper floors. Here a group of lunchtime diners chat on the footpath, as they depart.
Business men on their way back to work.. bet they feel like a nap after a big lunch, or is that just me :)
ReplyDeleteLove that scooter with yellow seats at the corner!
ReplyDeletewilf, I'm glad you noticed that. I made an effort to include it in the shot..
DeleteBeautiful building in a Victorian architectural style...Two very different buildings and both pretty nice...
ReplyDeleteGreat glass reflection too...
What a terrific piece of architecture...
ReplyDeletei love that old building!
ReplyDeleteThere's NO Aussies let my like down.
ReplyDeleteHa! I spotted the scotter/moped too?
Happy weekend, Jim.
/CC
Thank goodness for awnings to provide shade on sizzling days!
ReplyDeletehmmm is this scooter blocking the way? Great sunny day for finding shadows! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteNo, because the building next door has been set slightly back so there's a safe nook there.
DeleteYou’ve made a great Theme Day post. I'm glad you picked this to share with us. I'm a big fan of sights like this when an older building has been saved and is in use. Yea!
ReplyDeleteI love the scooter and all this windows for nice reflection!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building, glad it's been restored and is full of life again. The new shiny ones are nice for reflections but the old one's have the character.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a no nonsense kind of building with subdued, uncluttered style. But still it has presence thanks to the arched window features.
ReplyDeleteThe buildings are quite the contrast, each has it's own beauty. I love the character of the old building, the windows are great.
ReplyDeleteGreat architecture, and a good theme day shot.
ReplyDeleteA very subtle "people" scene, Jim. Interesting building.
ReplyDeleteGad this building is still standing. Looks a ritzy place to eat.
ReplyDeleteIt has really great food too.
DeleteInteresting story of this built,have a nice day, from Belgium
ReplyDeleteI must have walked past by that a number of times without realizing what it is... Beautiful.capture
ReplyDelete